Just Moved in LA? Rekey vs. Replace Your Locks

Rekeying is the process of changing the internal pin configuration of your existing lock cylinder so that all previous keys no longer work. A trained locksmith removes the cylinder, replaces the pins with a new combination, and sets you up with freshly cut keys — all without touching the lock hardware on the outside of your door. If your locks are in good working condition and you simply want to shut out anyone who had a key before you moved in, rekeying is typically the fastest and most straightforward path.

The most common misconception is that rekeying is somehow a lesser form of security. It isn't. The resulting lock is just as secure as it was before — the only thing that changed is which key opens it. Where rekeying falls short is when the lock hardware itself is old, worn, damaged, or simply not up to the security standard you want for your home. In those cases, rekeying a weak lock just gives you exclusive access to a weak lock.

Lock replacement means removing the entire existing lock assembly and installing new hardware. This is the right call in several specific scenarios: the existing locks are visibly damaged or worn; the door has a basic builder-grade knob lock that offers minimal resistance to forced entry; you want to upgrade to a higher-security format; or you're dealing with a door style — like many older Los Angeles homes built in the 1920s through 1950s — that uses a mortise lock configuration. A mortise lock is a heavy-duty lock body that fits into a recessed pocket (or mortise) cut into the door itself. Because of the way the lock body integrates with the door, it offers significantly more resistance than a standard cylindrical lock and is the preferred choice for exterior doors where security is the priority. Many of the vintage homes in neighborhoods like Los Feliz, West Adams, and Koreatown still have their original mortise lock hardware — sometimes in surprisingly good shape, sometimes in need of replacement after decades of use.

A door knob lock on its own — the kind you find on most interior doors and many older exterior doors — is not a serious security device for a front or back entrance. It can be defeated far too easily. If your new Los Angeles home came with nothing but a door knob lock on the front door, that's a strong signal that a full replacement, potentially including a deadbolt or a mortise lock, belongs at the top of your move-in list. Our team can assess what's on your door, explain your options in plain language, and complete the installation the same visit.

One of the most searched questions we hear from new LA residents is: how much does a locksmith cost in Los Angeles, or how much is the average locksmith charge? The honest answer is that there is no single number, because every job involves different variables. The factors that determine your final price include: the type of lock involved (a standard deadbolt rekey is a different scope of work than a mortise lock replacement on a heavy wood door); the number of locks being serviced in a single visit; whether the job requires specialty parts or hardware that needs to be sourced; the time of day, since calls that come in overnight or on holidays involve after-hours service considerations; and how far our mobile unit needs to travel to reach you. An emergency locksmith call at 2 a.m. in Burbank is a different situation than a scheduled afternoon appointment in Hollywood.

What we always do before any work begins is give you a confirmed, exact price up front — no vague estimates, no surprise charges added after the job is done. You know what you're paying before our technician touches anything. If the scope changes (for example, you discover a second lock while we're on-site that you'd also like serviced), we update the quote and get your approval before proceeding. That's the standard we hold ourselves to on every call. If you'd like a direct answer for your specific situation, call us at 323-693-8007 and we'll walk through it with you — 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

A move-in is also prime time for accidental lockouts — you're juggling boxes, you set the keys down somewhere, and suddenly you're standing on your new porch at 9 p.m. wondering what to do. People often ask: can I call a locksmith if I'm locked out of my house? Yes, absolutely — that's one of the most common calls we handle. What to do before you call: check whether any windows or secondary doors are unlocked, contact a co-tenant or landlord if one exists and can reach you quickly, or check whether you left a spare key with a trusted neighbor. If none of those apply, calling a professional emergency locksmith is the right move.

A question we see often is: does AAA do locksmith work? AAA does offer roadside assistance that includes basic car lockout service for members, but for residential lockouts, lock rekeying, lock replacement, mortise lock service, or anything beyond a straightforward car lockout, a dedicated locksmith is who you need. Similarly, people sometimes search for how to get a free locksmith — in reality, there is no legitimate free locksmith service for residential work. What exists is a market full of misleading bait-and-switch quotes online; the way to protect yourself is to work with a local, insured team that commits to a transparent price before starting. How much does an emergency locksmith cost near me is best answered with a direct call, because your specific lock type, location, and time of day all feed into the quote.

A Plus Locksmith Hollywood is a fully mobile, 24/7 locksmith operation serving the greater Los Angeles area — from the Hollywood Hills to the South Bay, from the Eastside to the Valley. We're not a dispatch center routing your call to a stranger; when you call 323-693-8007, you reach our own team. Our emergency lockout services and full range of residential, automotive, and commercial locksmith work includes: house lockout assistance, apartment lockout assistance, rekey after move-in, rekey after a lost key, rekey after a breakup or tenant change, standard deadbolt installation, mortise lock installation and repair, door knob lock replacement, smart lock installation and programming, high-security lock upgrades, master key system setup, sliding door lock repair, garage door lock service, window lock installation, lock repair for damaged or frozen cylinders, padlock service and replacement, safe opening and combination changes, car lockout service, car key duplication, transponder key programming, ignition repair and replacement, motorcycle lockout, commercial door lock installation, commercial rekey service, access control consultation, and after-hours emergency response for businesses. Whether you're a homeowner dealing with a vintage mortise lock on a pre-war bungalow or a property manager handling a tenant turnover on a multi-unit building, we have the tools and trained technicians to handle it.

We're also proud to be the kind of local, insured, experienced team that Los Angeles residents can count on at any hour — not just during convenient daytime windows. Life in LA doesn't run on a 9-to-5 schedule, and neither do we.